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“I SAT there one day reflecting on all the people I had screwed over in the pursuit of success.” This fed-up Aussie set of for life of travel, arriving in his latest destination with just $7 in his pocket.

Treat yourself while in New Zealand. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

FROM the moment you land in Rotorua, you're constantly reminded that you're in a magical place. Billowing steam clouds and the smell of sulphur fill the air, a testament to the region's volcanic activity.

The North Island region of New Zealand bubbles with mineral-rich waters and healing mud, making it an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. However, if adrenalin is your preferred tonic, there's no shortage of adventurous activities for all members of the family to enjoy in its forests, magnificent mountains and lakes. Rotorua's Maori culture gives the region its heart and soul, and the locals look forward to sharing their stories with visitors.

With Air New Zealand now flying direct between Sydney and Rotorua, these experiences are closer than ever. Below is a sample of the attractions on offer:

Relaxation Getting your holiday glow comes easily in Rotorua. If the district's relaxed pace and stunning natural scenery aren't enough to bring on a sense of wellbeing, its health spas will surely do the trick. Ironically, it's Rotorua's violent volcanic history that has made it an ideal destination for nurturing the body and soul, with an abundance of nutrient-rich waters and bubbling mud pools.

Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa is one of the region's must-see attractions. Spread across its 20ha are thermal features including a hot waterfall where warriors once bathed to heal their wounds, hot mud pools, white mud, which has been likened to quicksand, and steaming volcanic vents. Hells Gate is fully Maori owned and operated and its history and legends are as fascinating as the landscape itself.

For a really romantic experience, there's the internationally renowned Polynesia Spa, which has repeatedly been voted one of the world's Top 10 geothermal spas by Conde Nast. It has 26 geothermal hot pools and 13 therapists. Two new couples treatment rooms to open next month will bring the number of spa rooms to 10. Therapies available draw on local techniques and produce, including manuka honey, lavender and Rotorua thermal mud.

For a place to return after a day of luxuriating, it's hard to beat Peppers On the Point Lake Rotorua. The 80-year-old mansion is full of antique charm and overlooks Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.

FunFor children through to hardcore adrenalin junkies, Rotorua is a giant playground. Mountain bikers can pedal to their heart's content through an extensive network of trails just minutes from the city centre. A road bordered by towering redwoods leads the way to the Whakarewarewa Forest, where lakes and mountains can be glimpsed through native and exotic trees.

Even the most adventurous will find some parts of Rotorua's dramatic landscape impossible to access. Joining a Volcanic Air Safari is one way to capture some of the best views. Journeys can be tailored according to individual requests, but one of the most popular is landing on the active volcano, White Island. There, it is possible to walk along the inner crater, where the hissing and steaming of volcanic vents and the smell of sulphur contribute to a surreal experience.

The Buried Village, an area devastated by a volcanic eruption in 1886, is another key attraction. Excavated ruins and some recovered relics are a reminder of what was lost. For those who would rather travel by water, a range of operators offer cruises to sacred sites and pristine islands, where native bird and animal life abounds.

Jetboating across Lake Rotorua ramps up the adrenalin factor and is not for the faint-hearted. One of the more bizarre ways to get your adrenalin fix is to take a ride in a giant globe at Zorb, Rotorua. The unique, New Zealand-born craze features riders crawling into a large, inflatable globe, where they're either harnessed in, or slide around in water as they roll and bounce down hills.

FoodWith rich volcanic soil and waterways teeming with life, New Zealand is a haven for foodies and Rotorua is home to some of the country's best restaurants.

While it's nice to sit back and be served delicious dishes, catching or foraging for your own meal can be even more memorable. Kinaki Wild Foods has recently released a new tour that enables visitors to do just that. Chef Charles Royal leads the tour, taking people into the bush to gather food, while providing an insight into Maori traditions, harvesting and natural remedies. Later in the tour, while visiting an open-air art gallery, participants are offered a natural cleansing tonic, kawakawa tea, with home-baked kawakawa shortbread and a mix of traditional seasonal fare such as eel, kawakawa chicken, kumara and fern shoots.

Another new tourism offering in the region, the Wild Food Cooking Experience, starts with a bushwalk to search for trout and eel, wild pigs, deer and game birds, while guides explain the best ways to cook and prepare them. Visitors then help pick indigenous herbs and spices, before using the forest ingredients to cook various dishes and learning how to prepare a hangi or Maori pit-oven.

CultureMaori people make up more than one third of Rotorua's population. Maori Experiences Rotorua offers a range of options for those after an authentic cultural experience. Among them are Maori home stays, hunting excursions, Maori weddings, priest blessings and cooking demonstrations.

A visit to the living village of Whakarewarewa is another way to rub shoulders - or noses - with the locals. Visitors are welcomed with traditional song and dance performances, and invited to participate in cultural demonstrations. Eating corn that has been cooked in natural thermal waters or tucking into a traditional hangi meal tops off the day.

The Rotorua Museum of Art and History provides further insight into the region's past and present. Engaging exhibits, along with a cinema experience, capture the imagination with stories of volcanic eruptions, wars and enchanting legends.

For a combination of culture and nature, Te Urewera Treks offers wilderness treks with local Maori guides. Ranging from one to three days, the treks take visitors through the indigenous forests of Te Urewera and Whirinaki, just over an hour's drive from Rotorua. Along the way, guides share their extensive knowledge of local legends, wildlife and traditional uses for native plants.

FlightsThe wonders of Rotorua have become even closer with Air New Zealand's recent launch of direct flights to the region. The twice-weekly service operates on Tuesday and Saturday, with connections to 27 destinations in New Zealand's North and South Islands.

The route acknowledges the popularity of Rotorua for Australian travellers and makes it easier for Asian travellers who wish to add a visit to Rotorua to an Australian holiday. The service is also a boon for skiers, providing easy access the central North Island ski fields, such as Mt Ruapehu.

Named 2010 Airline of the Year in the prestigious Air Transport World magazine awards, Air New Zealand offers touch-screen entertainment in the back of every seat, with a choice of movies, TV programs, games and audio. Creative onboard menus are designed to reflect the fresh, innovative cuisine of New Zealand and specially selected wines complete the dining experience. Year-round fares are available from $249 one way.

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